Weekend Gem-Joy Falls
Big South Fork’s off trail treasures are sometimes hard to find, but this one isn’t so bad. The reward for this one however is a big payoff in my book. These Falls are particularly elegant and at 70ft tall, it is a real looker too. We did this one in an overnighter because the camping spots are so rad and with all the rain recently, the springs would be flowing nicely above the River. Start out by driving up to the TH that is above Bandy Campground on a nicely maintained gravel road. Get all your ducks in order and make a left onto the JMT heading for Station Creek on mostly level trail. For the next bit, enjoy the nice viewpoints, forest, cliff rows and creeks that make the Cumberland Plateau so special. In about 4 miles keep your eyes peeled when the trail makes a left and backtracks towards another small creek marked with arrows pointing to it. Follow the trail to the right to a choice spot surrounded by steep cliffs above the River. If you like this one, go for it and set up, there is certainly not a bad option in this neck of the woods. There is another camp similar to this one just around the bend that is slightly more open and closer to Joy Falls, so we went with this guy. If your down, set up and snack up for another adventure! Get some water and a headlamp and head past the camp to the next creek. Drop down wherever you feel comfortable while staying to the right of the creek. Follow a mostly level shelf to a couple of traveled rounded rocks leading you down to the creek. Next, make a right and follow the cliff line on your right to a set 0f amazing gravity arches leading you to the base of the Falls. Look around a bit to find the best angle for the season you are there, we found ours to be on a boulders shelf to the left of the arches. Enjoy this special moment for as long as you can and then retrace your steps back to camp. Chill with some bourbon and dinner while the sun sets on another perfect day in the mountains.
Unnamed arch off JMT
Fossilized bark
Gravity arches
View from our great camp
Get up and enjoy a nice morning as the clouds split up. We made some breakfast scramble in out new Harvest Right freeze dryer, and it came out awesome! Break down your camp and retrace your steps back to your car as you discuss what other off trail treasures are in your future.
First freeze dried meal we made, a breakfast scramble!